Gen. Colin J. Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under two presidents, will be honored early next month at Fort Leavenworth, officials announced Monday afternoon.

A bronze bust will be dedicated to Powell at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park. The bust "will commemorate his lifelong service to the nation," according to a news release.

Powell and his wife, Alma, are slated to be in attendance. A news conference is planned for 12:50 p.m.

"The end state of this operation is the dedication of a long-term memorial to the contributions of Gen. Powell," the release states.

In 2000, Powell was inducted into the Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame.

"For (more than) 50 years, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) has devoted his life to public service," the release states. "Having held senior military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations, Powell’s deep commitment to democratic values and freedom has been felt throughout the world."

Powell was born in April 1937 in and was raised in the South Bronx. He was educated in New York City public schools, and after graduating from Morris High School, he attended the City College of New York where he earned a bachelor's degree in geology.

"It was not until he joined the Army ROTC program at CCNY that he discovered his calling and launched his military career," according to the release.

Powell received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation in 1958 and went on to serve in the Army for 35 years, rising to the rank of four-star general.

Powell served as President Ronald Reagan’s National Security Advisor. He served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for both President George H.W. Bush and for President Bill Clinton, and was not only the youngest officer and first ROTC graduate to ever serve in the position but also was the first African American to do so.

Under President George W. Bush, Powell was appointed the 65th Secretary of State and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.